{"id":375536,"date":"2023-11-22T16:54:20","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T21:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/north-dakota-law\/north-dakota-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-22T16:54:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T21:54:20","slug":"north-dakota-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/north-dakota-law\/north-dakota-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"North Dakota District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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North Dakota District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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A district attorney (D.A.) is the official who represents the government in prosecuting criminal offenses. District attorneys are essentially lawyers who represent the people of the state against persons or entities accused of criminal activity. In North Dakota, district attorneys are called "state’s attorneys." They’re divided by county.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

 <\/p>\r\n

The Role of a North Dakota District Attorney<\/h2>\r\n

Once a suspect is arrested by law enforcement<\/a>, it’s the prosecutor’s job to decide whether or not to file charges. They make this decision based on the evidence in the case. Once the prosecutor makes a determination, it’s their job to continue researching the case. It’s also part of their job to appear in court and ultimately get a conviction or plea from the defendant<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

If the case goes to a criminal trial, and the prosecutor gains a conviction against the defendant, it will be their job to give a sentencing recommendation<\/a> to the judge. Depending on the nature of the crime, this may also include presenting testimony of a victim or family members of the victim(s) to speak to the judge about the crime’s impact.<\/p>\r\n

Sometimes, the district attorney will handle juvenile crimes. In this case, they’ll handle prosecution in a juvenile court. At other times, they may handle mental health hearings. In these cases, the mental well-being of a defendant has been questioned. The attorney will consider whether the defendant is mentally sound enough to stand trial.<\/p>\r\n

North Dakota Attorney General<\/h2>\r\n

The North Dakota Attorney General<\/a> is responsible for representing the state when the state has an interest in the outcome, or it has been named as a party. They are the chief prosecuting officer in the state. The attorney general’s office also provides opinions and legal services to state officials and agencies.<\/p>\r\n

District attorneys are underneath attorneys general. Each county in North Dakota has a district attorney. In district courts, these attorneys handle the prosecution of criminal offenses.<\/p>\r\n

Both attorneys general and district attorneys handle the administration of the criminal justice system throughout the state of North Dakota. District attorneys are county officials. They are elected, so they’re meant to serve the public’s interests in the administration of law enforcement. They assist law enforcement in carrying out what is supposed to be justice.<\/p>\r\n

Directory of North Dakota District Attorneys<\/h2>\r\n

In North Dakota, district attorneys are known as state’s attorneys. Below you’ll find links for the state’s attorney for each county in North Dakota. At each of these links, you’ll find contact information for the state’s attorneys’ offices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Adams County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

McLean County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Barnes County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Mercer County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Benson County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Morton County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Billings County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Mountrail County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Bottineau County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Nelson County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Bowman County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Oliver County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Burke County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Pembina County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Burleigh County State’s Attorney<\/a> (Bismarck)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Pierce County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Cass County States Attorney<\/a> (Fargo)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Ramsey County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Cavalier County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Ransom County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Dickey County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Renville County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Divide County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Richland County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Dunn County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Rolette County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Eddy County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Sargent County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Emmons County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Sheridan County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Foster County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Sioux County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Golden Valley County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Slope County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Grand Forks County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Stark County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Grant County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Steele County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Griggs County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Stutsman County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Hettinger County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Towner County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Kidder County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Traill County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

LaMoure County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Walsh County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Logan County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Ward County State’s Attorney<\/a> (Minot)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

McHenry County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Wells County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

McIntosh County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Williams County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

McKenzie County State’s Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: We strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state. But this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please <\/i>contact us<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Charged by the D.A.? Get Help From a Local Defense Lawyer<\/p>\r\n

Crime in North Dakota simply doesn’t pay. But if you are being charged with a criminal offense, whether misdemeanor or felony, now is the time to learn about the law and any possible defenses that may be available to you. A great first step in starting this process is contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney<\/a> in your area.<\/p>\r\n

If you can’t afford an attorney, it’s important to know that you still have options. You could contact an office of the public defender<\/a>. Attorneys at the office of the public defender can provide legal services free of charge to qualifying people. If you need referrals for attorneys, you can contact the North Dakota State Bar Association<\/a>. They can provide free referrals for private attorneys. You could also contact Legal Services of North Dakota<\/a>. This nonprofit organization provides low-cost legal counsel and legal help to qualifying individuals.<\/p>\r\n

It’s a good idea to get the legal assistance and legal advice you need and to know your rights. Don’t do this alone. Attorneys can help secure the best possible outcome in your trial. They can handle all your legal questions. Handling a criminal matter can be complicated, so it’s best not to handle your legal issues in a self-help-type way.<\/p>\r\n

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